Gouache

Opaque water-based paint (also known as body colour). Like watercolour, it is made from powdered pigment mixed with gum Arabic but with the addition of glue to bind the pigments. In use it differs from watercolour in that white pigment is added to make lighter tones rather than by simply adding water. It has been much used by illuminators and painters of miniatures.

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Lord Halifax and his secretaries, attributed to Daniel Gardner, after Hugh Douglas Hamilton, circa 1765-1767 - NPG 3328 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Lord Halifax and his secretaries
attributed to Daniel Gardner, after Hugh Douglas Hamilton
circa 1765-1767
NPG 3328

Ellen Terry, by Sir (John) Bernard Partridge, 1880s-1900s - NPG D6652 - Reproduced with permission of Punch Ltd

Ellen Terry
by Sir (John) Bernard Partridge
1880s-1900s
NPG D6652

William Ewart Gladstone, by Sydney Prior Hall, circa 1890s - NPG 2227 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

William Ewart Gladstone
by Sydney Prior Hall
circa 1890s
NPG 2227

Kate Vaughan (Kate Alice Candelin), by Wilhelm, 1892 - NPG D6666 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Kate Vaughan (Kate Alice Candelin)
by Wilhelm
1892
NPG D6666

Cecil Beaton, by Pavel Tchelitchew, 1934 - NPG 5306 - © reserved; collection National Portrait Gallery, London

Cecil Beaton
by Pavel Tchelitchew
1934
NPG 5306

Albert Henry Stanley, Baron Ashfield, by Anthony Wysard, published 1938 - NPG 6114 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Albert Henry Stanley, Baron Ashfield
by Anthony Wysard
published 1938
NPG 6114

Alexander Korda, by Anthony Wysard, circa 1940-1956 - NPG 6120 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Alexander Korda
by Anthony Wysard
circa 1940-1956
NPG 6120

Dame Edith Sitwell, by John Banting, circa 1944 - NPG 5962 - © reserved; collection National Portrait Gallery, London

Dame Edith Sitwell
by John Banting
circa 1944
NPG 5962

Keith Vaughan, by Keith Vaughan, 1950 - NPG 6155 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Keith Vaughan
by Keith Vaughan
1950
NPG 6155

Pandit Ram Gopal, by Feliks Topolski, circa 1972 - NPG 6812 - © estate of Feliks Topolski

Pandit Ram Gopal
by Feliks Topolski
circa 1972
NPG 6812

Elvis Costello, by Adam Birtwistle, 1996 - NPG 6460 - © Adam Birtwistle / Piano Nobile Fine Paintings

Elvis Costello
by Adam Birtwistle
1996
NPG 6460

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